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H.B. 301 Enrolled

             1     

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

             2     
PROJECTS - CATEGORICALLY EXCLUDED

             3     
ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS

             4     
2007 GENERAL SESSION

             5     
STATE OF UTAH

             6     
Chief Sponsor: Stephen H. Urquhart

             7     
Senate Sponsor: Gregory S. Bell

             8     
             9      LONG TITLE
             10      General Description:
             11          This bill modifies the Transportation Code by amending provisions relating to
             12      implementing certain federal highway programs.
             13      Highlighted Provisions:
             14          This bill:
             15          .    authorizes the department to assume responsibility for:
             16              .    determining whether state highway design or construction projects are
             17      categorically excluded from requirements for environmental assessments or
             18      environmental impact statements; and
             19              .    environmental review, consultation, or other actions required under federal law
             20      for categorically excluded projects;
             21          .    authorizes the waiver of the state's immunity under the 11th Amendment of the
             22      United States Constitution if:
             23              .    the executive director executes a memorandum of understanding with the
             24      United States Department of Transportation accepting jurisdiction of the federal
             25      courts for certain responsibilities that the Department of Transportation has
             26      assumed;
             27              .    the attorney general has issued an opinion letter finding that the memorandum
             28      of understanding is valid and binding on the state; and
             29              .    the act or omission that is the subject of the lawsuit arises out of or relates to


             30      compliance, discharge, or enforcement of responsibilities assumed by the Department of
             31      Transportation; and
             32          .    grants the Department of Transportation rulemaking authority to implement the
             33      program.
             34      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             35          None
             36      Other Special Clauses:
             37          None
             38      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             39      AMENDS:
             40          72-1-207, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 270, Laws of Utah 1998
             41      ENACTS:
             42          72-6-120, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             43     
             44      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             45          Section 1. Section 72-1-207 is amended to read:
             46           72-1-207. Department may sue and be sued -- Legal adviser of department --
             47      Partial waiver of 11th Amendment immunity.
             48          (1) The department may sue, and it may be sued only on written contracts made by it or
             49      under its authority.
             50          (2) The department may sue in the name of the state.
             51          (3) In all matters requiring legal advice in the performance of its duties and in the
             52      prosecution or defense of any action growing out of the performance of its duties, the attorney
             53      general is the legal adviser of the commission, and the department, and shall perform any and
             54      all legal services required by the commission and the department without other compensation
             55      than his salary.
             56          (4) Upon request of the department, the attorney general shall aid in any investigation,
             57      hearing, or trial under the provisions of Chapter 9, Motor Carrier Safety Act, and institute and


             58      prosecute actions or proceedings for the enforcement of the provisions of the Constitution and
             59      statutes of this state or any rule or order of the department affecting motor carriers of persons
             60      and property.
             61          (5) (a) The state waives its immunity under the 11th Amendment of the United States
             62      Constitution and consents to suit in a federal court for lawsuits arising out of the department's
             63      compliance, discharge, or enforcement of responsibilities assumed pursuant to 23 U.S.C. Sec.
             64      326.
             65          (b) The waiver of immunity under this Subsection (5) is valid only if:
             66          (i) the executive director or the executive director's designee executes a memorandum
             67      of understanding with the United States Department of Transportation accepting the
             68      jurisdiction of the federal courts as required by 23 U.S.C. Sec. 326(c);
             69          (ii) before execution of the memorandum of understanding under Subsection (5)(b)(i),
             70      the attorney general has issued an opinion letter to the executive director and the administrator
             71      of the Federal Highway Administration that the memorandum of understanding and the waiver
             72      of immunity are valid and binding upon the state;
             73          (iii) the act or omission that is the subject of the lawsuit arises out of or relates to
             74      compliance, discharge, or enforcement of responsibilities assumed by the department pursuant
             75      to 23 U.S.C. Sec. 326; and
             76          (iv) the memorandum of understanding is in effect when the act or omission that is the
             77      subject of the federal lawsuit occurred.
             78          Section 2. Section 72-6-120 is enacted to read:
             79          72-6-120. Department authorized to participate in federal program assuming
             80      responsibility for environmental review of categorically excluded projects -- Rulemaking
             81      authority.
             82          (1) The department may:
             83          (a) assume responsibilities under 23 U.S.C. Sec. 326 for:
             84          (i) determining whether state highway design and construction projects are
             85      categorically excluded from requirements for environmental assessments or environmental


             86      impact statements; and
             87          (ii) environmental review, consultation, or other actions required under federal law for
             88      categorically excluded projects;
             89          (b) enter one or more memoranda of understanding with the United States Department
             90      of Transportation related to federal highway programs as provided in 23 U.S.C. Sec. 326
             91      subject to the requirements of Subsection 72-1-207 (5);
             92          (c) accept, receive, and administer grants, other money, or gifts from public and private
             93      agencies, including the federal government, for the purpose of carrying out the programs
             94      authorized under this section; and
             95          (d) cooperate with the federal government in implementing this section and any
             96      memorandum of understanding entered into under Subsection 72-1-207 (5).
             97          (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in implementing a program under this
             98      section that is approved by the United States Department of Transportation, the department is
             99      authorized to:
             100          (a) perform or conduct any of the activities described in a memorandum of
             101      understanding entered into under Subsection 72-1-207 (5);
             102          (b) take actions necessary to implement the program; and
             103          (c) adopt relevant federal environmental standards as the standards for this state for
             104      categorically excluded projects.
             105          (3) In accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
             106      department may makes rules to implement the provisions of this section.


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